Anger at delay over bank report

THE Forum of Private Business today wrote to Trade Secretary Patricia Hewitt protesting at the continued delay in publication of the Competition Commission's report into small business banking.

The report was submitted to Hewitt in October and publication has been expected since Christmas. FPB head of policy Garry Parker said: 'We want to know why the Secretary of State is sitting on this report.'

Banks and businesses were hoping the report would be out today. Now they fear it may not be released for weeks.